To establish a court, having limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, to be known as the District Court, and to make provision for the jurisdiction, procedure and practice thereof and for purposes connected with the matters aforesaid. (Amended 28 of 2000 s. 2)
[18 February 1953] G.N.A. 28 of 1953
(Originally 1 of 1953; 22 of 1962) Section: | 1 | Short title | | 30/06/1997 |
PART I PRELIMINARY This Ordinance may be cited as the District Court Ordinance. Section: | 2 | Interpretation | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
In this Ordinance, unless the context otherwise requires
"action" (訴訟) means a civil proceeding commenced by writ of summons or in such manner as may be prescribed; (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 2)
"authorized institution" (認可機構) means an authorized institution within the meaning of section 2 of the Banking Ordinance (Cap 155); (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3)
"cause" (訟案) means any action, suit or other original proceeding between a plaintiff and a defendant;
"charging order" (押記令) means an order under section 52A(1) to secure payment of a judgment or an order for the payment of money; (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3)
"Court" (區域法院) means the District Court established by section 3; (Added 21 of 1962 s. 2. Amended 28 of 2000
s. 48) "defendant" (被告人) includes any person served with any writ of summons or process, or served with notice of, or entitled to attend, any proceedings; "deputy District Judge" (地方法院暫委法官) means a deputy District Judge appointed under section 7; (Replaced
79 of 1981 s. 11)
"functions" (職能) includes powers and duties;
"hereditament" (可繼承產) includes both a corporeal and an incorporeal hereditament; (Added 21 of 1962 s. 2)
"judge" (法官) means a District Judge or a deputy District Judge; (Replaced 79 of 1981 s. 11)
"judgment creditor" (判定債權人) means a person in whose favour judgment has been entered or an order made in any court requiring a judgment debtor to pay money to the person; (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3)
"judgment debtor" (判定債務人) means a person against whom judgment has been entered or an order made in any court requiring him to pay money to another person; (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3)
"land" (土地) means land of whatever description, any part or section thereof, and tenements and buildings or parts of buildings (whether the division is horizontal, vertical or made in any other way); (Added 14 of 1973 s. 2)
"matter" (事宜) includes every proceeding in the Court not in a cause;
"party" (一方) includes every person served with notice of or attending any proceedings, although not named in the
record; "personal injuries" (人身傷害) includes any disease or any impairment of a person's physical or mental condition; (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3)
"plaintiff" (原告人) includes every person asking for any relief (otherwise than by way of counterclaim as a defendant) against any other person by any form of proceeding, whether the proceeding is by action, suit, petition, motion, summons or otherwise;
"Registrar" (司法常務官) means the Registrar of the Court appointed under section 14 and includes a deputy registrar and assistant registrar appointed under that section; (Added 28 of 2000 s. 3) "Rules Committee" (規則委員會) means the District Court Rules Committee established under section 17. (Added 21 of 1962 s. 2) (1 of 1953 s. 2 incorporated. Amended 28 of 2000 s. 3) Section: | 3 | Establishment of the District Court, and its general jurisdiction | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
PART II
THE DISTRICT COURT
(1) A court known as the District Court is established. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 4)
(2) The Court shall be a court of record and shall have such civil and criminal jurisdiction and powers as are conferred upon it by this Ordinance and by any other enactment for the time being in force. (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 3)
(3) The jurisdiction and powers conferred by any other enactment for the time being in force shall be subject
only to such limitations as such enactment may provide or may have provided. (Added 20 of 1963 s. 3) (1 of 1953 s. 3 incorporated) Section: | 4 | Constitution of the District Court | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
(1) The Court shall consist of 2 or more judges, to be known as District Judges. - (2) District Judges shall be appointed by the Chief Executive by instrument under the Public Seal. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
- (3) Any appointment made under the provisions of subsection (2) may be given effect from a date anterior to that of the instrument by which it is made. (Added 18 of 1958 s. 2. Amended 20 of 1972 s. 24; 28 of 2000 s. 5)
- (4) This section does not authorize the discharge of any judicial functions by any person before the date of the instrument of appointment or before the requirements of section 17 of the Oaths and Declarations Ordinance (Cap 11) have been fulfilled. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 5)
(1 of 1953 s. 4 incorporated) Section: | 5 | Professional qualifications of District Judges | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
(1) No person shall be appointed to be a District Judge under section 4 unless- - (a) he is qualified to practise as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in a court in Hong Kong or any other common law jurisdiction having unlimited jurisdiction either in civil or criminal matters; and (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 4; 14 of 1997 s. 3)
- (b) since becoming so qualified he has for a period of or periods totalling not less than 5 years-
(i) practised as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in such a court; or
(ia) been the Registrar of the High Court or a senior deputy registrar, deputy registrar or assistant registrar of the High Court, appointed in accordance with section 37 of the High Court Ordinance (Cap 4); or (Added 10 of 2005 s. 144)
(ib) been the Registrar or a deputy registrar or assistant registrar appointed in accordance with section 14; or (Added 10 of 2005 s. 144) (ii)-(iv) (Repealed 14 of 1997 s. 3)
(v) been a permanent magistrate appointed in accordance with section 5 of the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap 227); or (va) been a coroner appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Coroners Ordinance (Cap 504); or
(Added 10 of 2005 s. 144) (vb) been an adjudicator appointed in accordance with section 4 of the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 338); or (Added 10 of 2005 s. 144)
(vc) been a presiding officer appointed in accordance with section 4 of the Labour Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 25); or (Added 10 of 2005 s. 144)
(vi) been a legal officer as defined in section 2 of the Legal Officers Ordinance (Cap 87); or
(vii) (Repealed 8 of 1993 s. 26)
(viii) been the Director of Legal Aid or a Deputy Director of Legal Aid, Assistant Director of Legal Aid or Legal Aid Officer, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap 91); or (Added 66 of 1976 s. 2. Amended 24 of 1983 s. 7; 39 of 1992 s. 13) - (ix)
- been the Official Receiver or an Assistant Official Receiver (Legal), Assistant Principal Solicitor, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 75 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap 6); or (Added 39 of 1992 s. 13. Amended 60 of 1992 s. 7; 68 of 1995 s. 18)
- (x)
- been the Director of Intellectual Property or a Deputy Director of Intellectual Property, Assistant Director of Intellectual Property, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 412). (Added 60 of 1992 s. 7)
- (2)
- For the purpose of calculating such period of 5 years, periods of less than 5 years falling within any of the sub-paragraphs of paragraph (b) of subsection (1) may be combined. (Amended 38 of 1965 s. 2)
- (3)
- For the purposes of calculating the period of 5 years under subsection (1), periods served in an office specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the repealed Registrar General (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 100) may be taken into account notwithstanding the repeal of that Ordinance. (Added 8 of 1993 s. 26)
(1 of 1953 s. 5 incorporated. Amended 10 of 2005 s. 144)
- (1)
- A judge sitting alone shall, subject to section 58 and to the rules, hear and dispose of proceedings in the Court and business arising out of the proceedings. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 6)
- (2)
- The proceedings in every action or matter subsequent to the hearing or trial, down to and including the final judgment or order, and any application for leave to appeal or for a stay of execution shall, so far as is practicable and convenient, be taken before the judge or Registrar before whom the trial or hearing took place. (Replaced 21 of 1962
- s.
- 5. Amended 28 of 2000 s. 6)
Section: | 6 | Disposal of proceedings | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
(3) The business of the Court shall be heard and disposed of in court unless this Ordinance, the rules of court or
another enactment authorizes the matter to be heard and disposed of in chambers. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 6) (1 of 1953 s. 6 incorporated) Section: | 7 | Appointment of deputy District Judges | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1)
- The Chief Justice may appoint a person who is eligible under section 5 to be appointed as a District Judge to be a deputy District Judge if- (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 145)
- (a)
- the office of any District Judge becomes vacant for any reason; or (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 145)
- (b)
- he considers that the interests of the administration of justice require that a deputy District Judge should be appointed temporarily.
- (2)
- A deputy District Judge shall have and may exercise all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges and perform all the duties of a District Judge. A reference in any law to a deputy District Judge shall be construed accordingly. (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 145)
- (3)
- Without restricting the Chief Justice's power under subsection (1), the Chief Justice may appoint a deputy District Judge-
- (a)
- for a specified case or class of cases only;
- (b)
- for a specified period only.
(4) The Chief Justice may terminate the appointment of a deputy District Judge at any time. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 7) Section: | 8 | Power of deputy District Judge in part-heard cases | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
A deputy District Judge may resume the hearing and determine any adjourned proceedings and to deliver judgment even if the period of his appointment as a deputy District Judge has expired or his appointment has been
Cap 336 - DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE
terminated by the Chief Justice.
(Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 7) Section: | 9 | Jurisdiction in part-heard cases of magistrates appointed to be judges | | 30/06/1997 |
Where a magistrate is appointed to be a judge he may, notwithstanding such appointment, exercise and discharge all such jurisdiction, powers, authorities and duties as were prior to such appointment vested in him as a magistrate, but in relation only to any proceedings which were duly commenced before him in his capacity as a magistrate prior to such appointment.
(Added 11 of 1970 s. 3) Section: | 10 | Jurisdiction in part-heard cases of judges appointed to be High Court Judges or Court of First Instance deputy judges | 25 of 1998 | 01/07/1997 |
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 25 of 1998 s. 2
Where a judge is appointed- - (a) to be a judge of the High Court under section 6(1) of the High Court Ordinance (Cap 4); or
- (b) to be a deputy judge of the Court of First Instance under section 10(1) of the Court of First Instance
Ordinance (Cap 4), he may, notwithstanding such appointment, exercise and discharge all such jurisdiction, powers, authorities and duties as were prior to such appointment vested in him as a judge of the Court, but in relation only to any proceedings which were duly commenced before him in his capacity as such judge prior to such appointment.
(Added 11 of 1970 s. 3. Amended 92 of 1975 s. 58; 49 of 1983 s. 7; 25 of 1998 s. 2) Section: | 11 | (Repealed 47 of 1997 s. 10) | | 30/06/1997 |
Section: | 11A | Term of office of District Judges | 25 of 1998 | 01/07/1997 |
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 25 of 1998 s. 2
(1) A judge shall vacate his office when he attains the retiring age. - (2) Notwithstanding the fact that he has attained the retiring age, a person holding the office of a judge may continue in office for so long after attaining the retiring age as may be necessary to enable him to deliver judgment or to do any other thing in relation to proceedings that were commenced before him before he attained that age.
- (3) Notwithstanding subsection (1), the term of office of a judge who was appointed to be such judge before 1 January 1987 may be extended for a specified period or periods not exceeding 5 years in the aggregate by the Chief Executive acting in accordance with the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission, and in any such case the judge shall accordingly be regarded as having attained the retiring age at the expiration of the specified period or periods. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
- (4) A judge may at any time resign his office by notice in writing addressed to the Chief Executive. (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
- (5) In this section-"judge" (法官) means a District Judge; "retiring age" (退休年齡) means
- (a) in relation to a judge who was appointed to be such judge before 1 January 1987, the age of 60 years; and
- (b) in relation to a judge who was appointed to be such judge on or after 1 January 1987, the age of 65
years. (Added 26 of 1997 s. 4) Section: | 12 | Distribution and disposal of business of the Court | | 30/06/1997 |
- (1)
- Subject to any rules made under this Ordinance, the Chief Justice may give such directions as he thinks fit touching the distribution and disposal of the business of the Court.
- (2)
- Subject to any such rules or directions and to the provisions of subsection (3), a judge shall sit for the disposal of business pending in the Court at such places and times as he may think fit. (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 7)
- (3)
- Any proceedings may at any time and at any stage thereof, and either with or without application from any of the parties thereto, be transferred in such manner as may be prescribed or as any such direction may authorize, from one judge to another. (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 7)
(1 of 1953 s. 8 incorporated) Section: | 13 | Seal of the Court | L.N. 247 of 2000 | 01/09/2000 |
- (1)
- The Court shall use such seal as the Chief Justice directs.
- (2)
- All writs, judgments, orders, documents and copies issued by the Court shall be sealed with the seal.
- (3)
- A writ, judgment, order, document or copy purporting to be sealed with the seal of the Court is admissible
in any court on its production without further proof. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 8) Section: | 14 | Officers of the Court | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1)
- The Chief Executive may appoint a registrar of the Court and such number of deputy registrars, assistant registrars, chief judicial clerks and bailiffs as he may think fit; and there may be attached to such court such number of clerks of the Court, clerks, interpreters and other officers as the Chief Executive may consider necessary. (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 9)
- (2)
- In addition to any functions, powers and duties which he is by this or any other enactment enabled to exercise or required to discharge, the Registrar, and every deputy registrar, assistant registrar, bailiff, clerk of the Court, clerk, interpreter and other officer appointed or attached to the Court under the provisions of subsection (1) may exercise and discharge the like functions, powers and duties respectively insofar as the same are applicable to the business and proceedings of the Court, as those exercised and discharged by a registrar, deputy registrar, assistant registrar, bailiff, clerk of the Court, clerk, interpreter or other officer attached to the High Court. (Replaced 21 of 1962
- s.
- 9. Amended 38 of 1965 s. 3; 92 of 1975 s. 58) (2A) The Registrar shall have and may exercise and discharge such other jurisdiction, powers and duties as may
be conferred or imposed on him by or under rules of court or any other law. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 9) (2B) The deputy registrars and assistant registrars may be called Masters. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 9)
- (3)
- Any act which under this or any other enactment is required or authorized to be done by the Registrar may be performed by a deputy registrar or assistant registrar of the Court; and any process of the Court may be executed by any bailiff thereof notwithstanding that it may have been directed personally to some other bailiff. (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 9; 38 of 1965 s. 3)
- (4)
- It shall be lawful, in relation to the business and proceedings of the Court, for the Registrar of the High Court and every temporary registrar, senior deputy registrar, temporary senior deputy registrar, deputy registrar, temporary deputy registrar, assistant registrar, temporary assistant registrar and bailiff attached to the High Court to exercise any power or discharge any duty which such Registrar, temporary registrar, senior deputy registrar, temporary senior deputy registrar, deputy registrar, temporary deputy registrar, assistant registrar, temporary assistant registrar or bailiff might respectively have exercised or discharged under subsections (2) and (3) if he had been appointed or attached to the Court under subsection (1). (Replaced 28 of 2000 s. 9. Amended 10 of 2005 s. 146)
- (5)
- In the exercise of his powers and discharge of his duties under this Ordinance, any person to whom this section applies shall be subject to the same liabilities and penalties and have the benefit of the same protection as attach by virtue of the provisions of the High Court Ordinance (Cap 4) to a person exercising or discharging similar powers or duties under that Ordinance. (Amended 21 of 1962 s. 9; 28 of 2000 s. 9)
(Replaced 18 of 1958 s. 3. Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2) Section: | 14AA | Professional qualifications of Registrar, deputy registrars and assistant registrars | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1) A person shall be eligible to be appointed as the Registrar, a deputy registrar or an assistant registrar if-
- (a) he is qualified to practise as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in a court in Hong Kong or any other common law jurisdiction having unlimited jurisdiction either in civil or criminal matters; and
- (b) since becoming so qualified, he has for a period of or periods totalling not less than 5 years-
- (i) practised as a barrister, solicitor or advocate in such a court;
- (ii) been a permanent magistrate appointed in accordance with section 5 of the Magistrates Ordinance (Cap 227);
(iii) been a coroner appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Coroners Ordinance (Cap 504); - (iv) been an adjudicator appointed in accordance with section 4 of the Small Claims Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 338);
- (v) been a presiding officer appointed in accordance with section 4 of the Labour Tribunal Ordinance (Cap 25);
- (vi) been a legal officer as defined in section 2 of the Legal Officers Ordinance (Cap 87);
(vii) been the Director of Legal Aid or a Deputy Director of Legal Aid, Assistant Director of Legal Aid or Legal Aid Officer, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Legal Aid Ordinance (Cap 91); (viii) been the Official Receiver or an Assistant Official Receiver (Legal), Assistant Principal Solicitor, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 75 of the Bankruptcy Ordinance (Cap 6); or (ix) been the Director of Intellectual Property or a Deputy Director of Intellectual Property, Assistant Director of Intellectual Property, Senior Solicitor or Solicitor, appointed in accordance with section 3 of the Director of Intellectual Property (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 412).
- (2) For the purposes of calculating the period of 5 years referred to in subsection (1)(b)-
- (a) periods of less than 5 years falling within any of the subparagraphs of that subsection may be combined;
- (b) periods served in an office specified in Part I of the First Schedule to the repealed Registrar General (Establishment) Ordinance (Cap 100) may be taken into account notwithstanding the repeal of that Ordinance.
(Added 10 of 2005 s. 147) Section: | 14AB | Appointment of temporary registrar | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1) The Chief Justice may appoint a person who is eligible under section 14AA to be appointed as the Registrar to be a temporary registrar if-
- (a) the office of the Registrar becomes vacant for any reason; or
- (b) he considers that the interest of the administration of justice requires that a temporary registrar should be appointed.
- (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred on him by subsection (1), the Chief Justice may appoint a temporary registrar for a specified period only.
- (3) The Chief Justice may terminate the appointment of a temporary registrar at any time.
- (4) In this section and section 14C, "temporary registrar" (暫委司法常務官) means a person appointed under
subsection (1) to be a temporary registrar. (Added 10 of 2005 s. 147) Section: | 14A | Appointment of temporary deputy registrars | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1) The Chief Justice may appoint a person who is eligible under section 14AA to be appointed as a deputy registrar to be a temporary deputy registrar if- (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 148)
- (a) the office of any deputy registrar becomes vacant for any reason; or
- (b) he considers that the interest of the administration of justice requires that a temporary deputy registrar should be appointed.
- (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred on him by subsection (1), the Chief Justice may appoint a temporary deputy registrar for a specified period only.
- (3) A temporary deputy registrar shall, during the period for which he is appointed, have all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges, and discharge all the duties of a deputy registrar and any reference in any law to a deputy registrar shall be construed accordingly.
- (4) The Chief Justice may terminate the appointment of a temporary deputy registrar at any time.
- (5) A temporary deputy registrar may be called Master.
- (6) In this section and section 14C, "temporary deputy registrar" (暫委副司法常務官) means a person
Cap 336 - DISTRICT COURT ORDINANCE
appointed under subsection (1) to be a temporary deputy registrar. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 10) Section: | 14B | Appointment of temporary assistant registrars | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1) The Chief Justice may appoint a person who is eligible under section 14AA to be appointed as an assistant registrar to be a temporary assistant registrar if- (Amended 10 of 2005 s. 149)
- (a) the office of any assistant registrar becomes vacant for any reason; or
- (b) he considers that the interest of the administration of justice requires that a temporary assistant registrar should be appointed.
- (2) Without prejudice to the generality of the power conferred on him by subsection (1), the Chief Justice may appoint a temporary assistant registrar for a specified period only.
- (3) A temporary assistant registrar shall, during the period for which he is appointed, have all the jurisdiction, powers and privileges, and discharge all the duties of an assistant registrar and any reference in any law to an assistant registrar shall be construed accordingly.
- (4) The Chief Justice may terminate the appointment of a temporary assistant registrar at any time.
- (5) A temporary assistant registrar may be called Master.
- (6) In this section and section 14C, "temporary assistant registrar" (暫委助理司法常務官) means a person
appointed under subsection (1) to be a temporary assistant registrar. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 10) Section: | 14C | Powers of temporary registrar, etc. in case which is part-heard on termination of appointment | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
(1) If the hearing of any proceedings before a temporary registrar is adjourned or if he reserves judgment in any proceedings, the temporary registrar shall have power to resume the hearing and determine the proceedings or deliver judgment, notwithstanding that his appointment as a temporary registrar has expired or has been terminated.
(2) Subsection (1) shall apply to a temporary deputy registrar or temporary assistant registrar as it applies to a
temporary registrar. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 10. Amended 10 of 2005 s. 150) Section: | 15 | Right of audience | 25 of 2008 | 11/07/2008 |
(1) In any proceedings in the Court, any of the following persons may address the Court, namely- - (a) any party to the proceedings;
- (b) a barrister qualified to practise in the High Court and retained by or on behalf of any party; (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
- (c) a solicitor qualified to practise in the High Court and acting generally in the proceedings for a party thereto, but not a solicitor retained as an advocate by a solicitor so acting; (Amended 25 of 1998 s. 2)
- (d) any other person allowed by leave of the Court to appear instead of a party to the proceedings. (Amended 28 of 2000 s. 11)
(1A) The right of a solicitor to address the Court is not excluded by reason only of the fact that he is in the permanent and exclusive employment of any other solicitor. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 11)
(2) No person other than a solicitor shall be entitled to have or to recover any fee or reward for appearing or
acting on behalf of any other party in any proceedings in the Court. (Amended 28 of 2000 s. 11) (2A) The right of a barrister to appear or to act in the Court or of a solicitor to recover costs for the employment of a barrister to appear or to act is not affected by anything in this Ordinance. (Added 28 of 2000 s. 11)
(3) (Repealed 25 of 2008 s. 7) (Replaced 21 of 1962 s. 10) Section: | 16 | Prohibition of proceedings in error | | 30/06/1997 |
No proceedings in error shall be taken upon any proceeding under the provisions of this Ordinance.
(1 of 1953 s. 12 incorporated)
Section: | 17 | District Court Rules Committee | 10 of 2005 | 08/07/2005 |
- (1)
- There shall be a District Court Rules Committee consisting of the Chief Judge, 3 District Judges appointed by the Chief Judge, a barrister nominated by the Hong Kong Bar Association, a solicitor nominated by the Law Society of Hong Kong and the Registrar. (Amended 79 of 1981 s. 11)
- (2)
- At any meeting of the Rules Committee, 3 members, one of whom is either such a barrister or such a solicitor, shall be a quorum.
- (3)
- The Rules Committee shall be convened by or at the direction of the Chief Judge.
- (4)
- The Chairman of the Rules Committee shall be the Chief Judge or, in his absence, the senior District Judge
present at the meeting. (Replaced 21 of 1962 s. 11. Amended 10 of 2005 s. 10) Section: | 18 | Transfer of unclaimed moneys in Court | 25 of 1998 | 01/07/1997 |
Remarks:
Adaptation amendments retroactively made - see 25 of 1998 s. 2
PART III